Archived Premier League Football Betting Tips (4th May 2013)

Premier league football betting tips are given one of the following three ratings:

Banker, large stake, predicted outcome is more than likely.

Likely outcome, medium stake, worth a gamble.

Worth a flutter, small stake, be prudent and stick to matches where you can spot the value.

Below were the predicted outcomes for the weekend fixtures Sat 4th to Mon 6th May 2013.

Archived Premier League football betting tips (4th to 6th May 2013)

Sat 15:00

Fulham v Reading

We're getting to that stage of the season where 'nothing' games are more commonplace. Fulham are mid-table with nowt to play for whilst Reading's relegation was confirmed last weekend after they could only muster a goalless draw at home to also relegated QPR. Fulham have taken just a point from the last 15 available but it's worth considering that they've played Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton in their last 3 games. They're still without the suspended Steve Sidwell but Dimitar Berbatov had to leave the field at Goodison with a calf injury making him highly doubtful for Saturday's lunchtime clash. Mladen Petric is his likely replacement as they take on a Reading side that'll either continue their poor form or play without fear now that their Championship fate is sealed. That said, the Royals haven't won a game since early February and they've only managed one victory on the road all season. Goals have also been in short supply with Reading having scored just 6 times since they last won a game. Difficult to see beyond a home win, not that it means much for either side.

Home Win 2-0

Norwich v Aston Villa

Only a point and a goal separates these 2 sides in the bottom half of the table, both threatened by relegation should Wigan win their game in hand. Currently Wigan have a 5-point deficit to make up but a win in their postponed match would close the gap to 2 points. However, Villa did themselves a massive favour by hammering Sunderland at Villa Park last Monday, a result that boosted their goal difference as well as their points tally. Benteke's hat-trick was Villa's first since John Carew's against Newcastle in 2008 and they've now won 4 of their last 7 matches; Benteke scoring in each of them. Villa have won 2 of their last 3 away fixtures (at Stoke and Reading) and were responsible for knocking Norwich out of the Capital One Cup at Carrow Road where they won 4-1 back in December. The Canaries, obviously in danger themselves, have only won one of their last 8 matches but they've not lost on home soil in the top flight since before the turn of the year when City beat them 4-3. They're without centre-half Michael Turner who has a groin problem and will likely field the same side that lost 1-0 at Stoke last weekend. Whilst Villa have already proved well capable of beating Norwich away, this is a massive game and one in which the points could well be shared.

Draw 1-1

Swansea v Man City

Swansea are on probably their worst run of form since the start of the season and will want to avoid a 7th successive Premier League match without a win. The problem is that they've already over-achieved this season by winning the Capital One Cup, subsequently gaining a place in next season's Europa League and are safe from relegation. They're unlikely to improve on their current 9th position and as a result it's difficult to see the motivation for the remaining fixtures. City are in much the same predicament having relinquished the title to rivals United but unlikely to slip to 3rd in the table. The only motivation for City players is that there's bound to be some sort of summer clearout regardless of whether Mancini stays or goes so they could be playing for their squad place next season. With the exception of their 2-1 win at Old Trafford, City haven't been too hot on the road losing at Tottenham, Chelsea (in the FA Cup), Everton and Southampton since the beginning of February. Both sides will be close to full strength but Swansea's dodgy form gives City the edge.

Away Win 1-2

Tottenham v Southampton

This is a hugely important game for Spurs as they chase a Champions League place. Not only will it be a measure of relative success but it's also likely to prove instrumental in their ability to keep hold of Gareth Bale. They're currently 5th, 2 points behind Arsenal, but have a game in hand and can't afford any more slip-ups; recently dropped points against Fulham, Everton and Wigan could yet prove costly. They host a Southampton side that were well beaten at St Mary's last weekend by West Brom, bringing to an end a 6-game unbeaten run. Pochettino credits it as their worst performance under him on home soil and he'll be looking for an improvement at White Hart Lane. However, he'll have to do it without Ramirez and Fox who were both red-carded in that defeat and will miss the remainder of the campaign. No douobt the Saints' manager will set them up defensively but Tottenham will be at full strength with plenty of pace. Moussa Dembele is the only doubt after sustaining a knock just before half-time last weekend at Wigan. Given that Spurs' game in hand is at Stamford Bridge next week, that makes this a 'must win' fixture if they're to qualify for Champions League next season at the expense of either Arsenal or the Blues. An exciting game in prospect and Spurs have to win.

Home Win 2-1

West Brom v Wigan

For all of Wigan's much-lauded football, they remain in the bottom three and have a 5-point deficit to make up although they've a game in hand over all of the relegation-threatened clubs above them. Martinez is still adamant his side can beat the drop but they've only taken a single point from their last 3 Premier League away fixtures; a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road. The Latics played exceptionally well last weekend at home to Spurs but once again shot themselves in the foot by gifting them a crazy goal early on and netting an own goal in the last minute. Their cause wasn't helped with Figueroa stretchered off 35 minutes into that game with a groin injury and the ever-present defender could miss their remaining 4 matches plus the FA Cup final. They travel to the Hawthorns where the Baggies appear to have got their mojo back. A surprising 3-0 win at Southampton looks almost certain of securing 8th place for them with a 6-point gap above and below them. The win came at a cost with Fortune banned for 3 matches following an altercation with Southampton's Gaston Ramirez. West Brom have won over half their home fixtures and Clarke has managed to keep his players working hard until the end of the campaign despite the lack of traditional end-of-season motivators. Wigan to give it their all but West Brom to come out on top.

Home Win 2-1

West Ham v Newcastle

It's been a pretty miserable couple of weeks for Newcastle fans. A 3-goal home defeat to local rivals Sunderland followed by a 1-1 draw at the Hawthorns and a calamitous 6-goal beating at home to Liverpool leaves them looking the most vulnerable of the relegation-threatened clubs should Wigan stage their traditional end-of-season rally. 10 goals conceded in those 3 matches coupled with Villa's 6-1 win over Sunderland leaves the Magpies 4th-from-bottom with negative goal difference on a par with the Latics. Steven Taylor has labelled the Liverpool defeat akin to a family death but relegation would be far worse. Debuchy was sent off against the Reds so misses the trip to Upton Park. Other than that Newcastle are still missing key players like Coloccini and Krul. West Ham have reason to be cheerful at the moment despite their 2-1 loss at Eastlands last weekend, a result which brought an end to a run of 5 matches without defeat. Their Premier League future is secure and no doubt Allardyce has one eye focused on next season. Winston Reid has already extended his contract until 2015 although Andy Carroll may be too expensive to take on a permanent deal. Carroll has netted 4 times in his last 6 starts and will want to do well against his old club especially if it led to move away from Liverpool. The Hammers are looking strong and this is looking a good time to play Newcastle.

Home Win 2-0

Sat 17:30

QPR v Arsenal

If only QPR hadn't been relegated last weekend, this game might've promised more but as it happens only Arsenal have anything to gain at Loftus Road. The Gunners are currently placed 4th but their advantage over 5th-placed Spurs, who have a game in hand, is just 2 points. That leaves Arsenal's fate not entirely in their own hands but they're on a good run of 7 Premier League matches unbeaten. Last weekend they held United to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates but were probably disappointed not to take more from the game after dominating the first half-hour. On the road the Gunners have been exemplary winning their last 6 away matches in all competitions. Giroud is banned for this one but other than that Arsenal are at full strength. Opposing manager, Harry Redknapp, will be hard pushed to raise his players' spirits after their confirmed relegation at Reading last weekend. The manager has stated that he'll be staying on but hardly paints a positive picture as they look to gain automatic promotion from the Championship. Personal pride and allegiance to his old club (along with loaned players from Spurs) could be a motivator against Arsenal but he'll have to do it without the injured Townsend although Samba could recover from illness. Rangers haven't won in 6 top flight matches and it's difficult to see Arsenal losing this one.

Away Win 0-2

Sun 13:30

Liverpool v Everton

A Merseyside derby which Liverpool have to win if they're to stand any chance of finishing above their rivals come the end of the season. They're currently 5 points adrift of Everton with 9 left to play for making it an almost impossible task. Most recent Liverpool banter has concerned the infamous Suarez 'bite' incident but they showed how potent they can be without him with a 6-goal demolition of Newcastle at St James' Park last weekend. That's a massive improvement on recent results although it extends their unbeaten run to 5 matches. Their hosts, Everton are at full strength for this one knowing that at least a draw will almost guarantee the blue half of Merseyside have the summer bragging rights. The Toffees were beaten by a single goal at Sunderland recently but it's the only blip in an otherwise unbeaten run of 8 top flight matches. Everton also have the incentive of a possible Europa League place should one of the clubs above them choke on the final run-in. David Moyes's side might not be as free-scoring as Liverpool were last weekend but they keep things a lot tighter at the back than the afore-mentioned Newcastle. Typical Merseyside derby where the best value bet has to be the draw.

Draw 1-1

Sun 16:00

Man Utd v Chelsea

Champions United take on 3rd-placed Chelsea in the knowledge that how they perform against the Blues could have a direct effect on who joins them in the Champions League next season. Chelsea currently have a 3-point advantage over 5th-placed Spurs with the 2 sides to play next week but their efforts to reach the Europa League final could well catch them up and tiredness could yet play a part in the Premier League run-in. The Blues don't have any easy games ahead of them with a trip to relegation-threatened Villa and a visit from a stalwart Everton side their final 2 fixtures. Whilst Chelsea entertain Basel this week, United will be making the most of a week's rest before attempting to win their 16th Premier League home fixture this season; they've only dropped points in 2 home matches (defeats to Spurs and City). Young has been ruled out for United's remaining games whilst there are doubts over the fitness of Vidic and Welbeck. Chelsea however should be able to field their strongest side but that's not accounting for tiredness or Benitez's tinkering. It's not United's last home game of the season but beating Chelsea would put the icing on the cake.

Home Win 2-1

Mon 20:00

Sunderland v Stoke

Don't make any special plans for this Monday night bore-fest! Sunderland's honeymoon period under new manager Paolo Di Canio didn't last for long and a 6-1 hammering at Villa Park last Monday means the Mackems aren't out of the woods just yet. Level on points with Villa and Newcastle, Sunderland have to hope that Wigan's form doesn't improve as well as trying to add to their own points tally. Sunderland's scoring options, already hit by injury to Steven Fletcher, now miss Sessegnon for their remaining fixtures after he was dismissed during the Villa defeat for violent conduct. Not only is Sessegnon Sunderland's 3rd top scorer but he also adds a bit of spark in midfield that'll be all too sadly missing. Their opponents, Stoke, haven't exactly been setting the world alight either although recent victories away at QPR and at home to Norwich saw the Potters hit the magic 40-point mark and they should be safe. The 2-goal win at Loftus Road was only Stoke's second away victory of the season and it wasn't so long ago that Pulis's side were finding it tough to win at the Britannia, once considered something of a fortress. Charlie Adam's winner against Norwich was obviously crucial to their survival hopes and the Scottish midfielder deserves a run in the side. The Potters will be at full strength but goals at the Stadium of Light will be a rare commodity come Monday night.